ACM: Chicago Program

Subjects: The ACM Chicago Program engages students academically, professionally, and personally with the city of Chicago. The primary areas of emphasis in the program are Arts, Entrepreneurship, and Urban Studies – students have the opportunity to explore one of these topics in depth, or participate in classwork and projects across these disciplines. The program offers an innovative mix of academic work, including an internship, independent study project, common core course about the city of Chicago, and a variety of seminars focused on the arts and creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship, and urban studies and social justice. Students are able to explore the vital issues facing cities and the people who live and work in them, while digging deeper to relate these issues to their personal lives, education, and career aspirations.

The program is offered in both the fall and spring semester, and students earn a full semester worth of academic credit.

Housing: Students live with other Chicago Program participants in furnished, shared apartments in various neighborhoods throughout the city of Chicago.While locations may vary each semester, apartments are located close to public transportation and a variety of amenities. The neighborhoods where students live are an integral part of the program, as students get involved with local community organizations and examine neighborhood issues as part of their classes.

Cost: Students pay Albion College tuition, plus the ACM program fee (which covers housing, field trips, some instructional materials, and a local transportation pass for the semester).

Costs Not Covered by Albion: Meals, travel to and from Chicago, materials and supplies, cultural events/entertainment, and miscellaneous personal expenses. For more information, go to the ACM Chicago Program cost page

Comments: The ACM Chicago Program is open to students of any major. While the internship component of the program is important, the Chicago Program offers a balanced curriculum of two classes focused on Chicago, an independent study project (ISP), and the internship. The ISP gives students the chance to pursue a topic that relates to their personal and/or academic interests during the semester, and can take many forms, depending on the project. For examples of recent projects, see this resource page. The Chicago Program has a long history dating back to 1969, with over 5,000 alumni of the program.